The Peninsula Oilers turned in one of their better offensive performances of the season in Wednesday night’s game against the Anchorage Bucs. The Oilers rode a four-run third inning to a victory as they retook 2nd place in the ABL.
Ty Thomas led the way with two singles in the second and third innings, scoring two runs and picking up two RBIs. Thomas lined a base hit into left field with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third to put the Oilers up 3-0.
Max Sasaki worked his way around five walks to pitch six innings of three-hit ball and only gave up one run. Sasaki ran into trouble in the fifth and sixth innings but escaped nearly unscathed. In the fifth, the Bucs sandwiched one base hit between two walks to load the bases with two outs, but Sasaki induced a ground out to end the threat. Then, in the sixth, Anchorage moved two runners into scoring position with only one out but only managed to bring one run across on a ground out to Cole Dawson at second base.
Cameron Teper pitched three innings in relief, allowing one run in the seventh, but otherwise held a very potent Bucs hitting lineup in check.
Cole Dawson turned in several defensive gems, including a highlight reel play in the sixth inning when he chased a grounder into the shallow center field grass and made a spinning throw to first base while falling away to keep the Bucs from having two men on with no outs.
With the win and a loss by the Mat-Su Miners, the Oilers move back into second place in the ABL.
Next, the Oilers continue their series against the first-place Bucs on Thursday night. It will be the third game of a five-game series at Coral Seymour Park.
Tune into the Sweeney’s Pregame Show at 5:40 p.m. on ESPN 1140 AM, 96.9 FM, and radiokenai.com. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.